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"Watch your tongue, mortal." Thor's voice turned cold.
"This is a family matter of the divine realm."
"So easily riled, Your Royal Highness." Anthony pointed at the faint red thread of energy between Jessica and Jane Foster.
"Haven't you noticed something's off with them right now?"
Only then did Thor notice Jessica—and the eerie link between the two women.
He frowned, reached out, and lightly touched Jane's shoulder.
"This energy…"
Thor's face changed in an instant.
"This isn't of Earth… it's an ancient power from an unknown World." Thor's expression darkened.
"It's protecting them—and devouring them."
He looked at Jane, then at Jessica.
"Earth's technology can't save them." Thor made his decision.
"I must take them to Asgard."
"Asgard?" Jane blinked.
"You mean… you're taking me home to meet the parents?"
"To save your life," Thor said gravely.
He stepped forward, reaching for both women's hands.
"I'm taking them with me."
"Hold it."
A hand shot in, blocking Thor.
Anthony stood there, smile gone, icy blue eyes glinting.
"Take Jane Foster? Fine—she's your girlfriend."
He pointed at Jessica.
"But her—Queen Jones—is mine."
You can't take her."
"Starr!" Jessica was visibly moved.
"He says he can fix what's wrong with us!"
"And you believe him?" Anthony glanced back, his gentle gaze startling Jessica.
"Jess, do you trust an alien who left his girlfriend on Earth for two years, or do you trust me?"
"I…" Jessica faltered.
"She has to go." Thor stepped closer, Mjolnir crackling.
"This force is lethal; without treatment they could both die. Only Asgard has the means."
"I don't buy it."
Anthony didn't budge.
"Earth tech not good enough? You underestimate Earth—and you underestimate me."
"I've got the best bio-lab on the Planet and the top team. We can handle it."
"And," Anthony sneered, "you want to haul her off-World? What if something goes wrong? What if you fail and toss her aside like trash?"
"I won't let Jessica out of my sight—not for a single second!"
Jessica stared at that tall back, warmth flooding her heart. Jerk… but when it counts he's solid.
Yet Anthony's real thoughts were:
"Hell no—let you drag them to Asgard? How would I keep the Reality Stone then? On Odin's turf how could I snatch it?"
"They stay on Earth—period!"
"Then… Mr. Starr, why don't you come along?" Jane Foster suggested.
"…"
"No! Mortals may not set foot in Asgard," Thor refused flat-out.
Anthony exhaled in relief.
"Stand aside, Homelander." Thor's patience snapped.
"You don't grasp what's at stake. Their lives—and perhaps the safety of the Nine Realms—hang in the balance."
"I said no."
Anthony's feet left the ground, hovering, eyes glowing red—Heat Vision primed.
"This is Earth, Thor."
"My turf."
"Here, I make the rules."
"Even gods… play by them."
Murderous intent flashed across Anthony's face.
Boom—!
Two mighty auras clashed mid-air.
On one side: the Thunder God of Asgard; on the other: Earth's own deity, the Homelander.
The air reeked of gunpowder; even the dust trembled.
Intern Darcy silently retreated fifty meters… Jane and Jessica, caught between them, felt like cookies about to crumble.
"Tony was right," Jessica muttered.
"These two… Mars vs. Earth, head-on."
Thor gripped his hammer, lightning dancing in his eyes: "I don't wish you harm, mortal—but for Jane, I'll do whatever it takes."
"Mortal?"
Anthony laughed.
"Then come, Odinson."
"Let's see whose weapon is harder—your hammer or my fists."
Battle loomed… when the World inside Anthony's mind seemed to hit pause.
A tingle crawled up his nape; every arm-hair stood on end.
Spider-Sense.
Bzzt—!
No thought, no judgment—pure instinct twisted his body in a fluid sidestep.
Whoosh—!!!
A war-hammer wreathed in cataclysmic lightning skimmed his chest, roaring past.
Boom!!
Mjolnir smashed through three factory walls behind him and vanished into the distance.
Hovering, Anthony's gaze turned ice-cold.
"Crap… got careless!"
He cursed inwardly.
In his past life he'd seen the films and thought Mjolnir's speed was merely supersonic—an oversized cruise missile.
In truth Mjolnir is Odin-enchanted, a fusion of magic and physics.
Super-charged by lightning, its initial burst was absurdly fast.
His super-speed peaks at 105 Mach—but that's sustained cruise, not starting velocity.
If not for that freeloaded "Peter-Tingle" the hammer would've nailed him; even if it didn't break his steel skin it would've wrecked his look—hair included!
Taking a hit was nothing, but losing face in front of two women? Unacceptable.
"Not bad, mortal—so you're more than a flying narcissist."
Thor stretched out his hand; rubble rumbled as Mjolnir flew back, slapping into his palm.
"I retract my words." Thor flexed his wrist, battle-hardened eyes gleaming.
"You're far stronger than I imagined."
"Mortal? Thor… you made a mistake."
Anthony cracked his neck with a pop.
"Seven-man squad—assemble!" Anthony muttered inwardly.
Ding! Nearby members detected: Homelander, Queen Jones (2/7)
Team formation mode activated!
Current boost multiplier: 100%!
Boom—!
Fierce power surged from every cell.
"Bring it, Odinson."
Anthony crooked a finger at Thor.
"You've got my full attention. Now I'll punch those golden brains of yours and see if they're wired for electricity too."
"Insolent!!"
With a roar Thor launched himself skyward, lightning coiling round his frame, mjolnir raised high for a crushing overhead blow!